Customer Reviews

Christmas

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

We traditionally wait til after Thanksgiving to play Christmas music, but I couldn't resist opening this one today as our family was taking a 2-hour road trip. We listened to the whole thing a couple of times and we loved it! I have high expectations for Jaci's music and this one exceeded my expectations.

Jaci shows herself to be a TRULY versatile artist in the many different styles of music on this album. The opening track O Come O Come Emmanuel is beautiful and haunting. Angel Song is written by Chris Eaton and a high point on the album. What Jaci has done with the traditional carols is wonderful; I agree with some of the other reviewers who think that sometimes artists go too far afield in trying to make the traditional carols "original". Jaci's treatment of these all-time favorites maintains the familiar beauty, while adding her stunning vocals and lush orchestration and choir back-up where appropriate.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Let It Snow, and I'll Be Home for Christmas have a Big Band sound and her voice changes to reflect the style. Smooth jazz - so relaxing! And sometimes she sounds to me somewhat like Natalie Cole (hey, I told you she's versatile!).

I was so thrilled to hear her rendition of Feliz Navidad - a Christmas CD by Jaci wouldn't be complete without that! You'll be up on your feet and dancing around to this one!!

If you're fortunate enough to get her limited edition with the bonus track (available here on Amazon), you'll here Jaci's duet with Alvin and the Chipmunks. What a hoot! You'll hear the Chipmunks trying to speak Spanish as well as the usual song you've come to know and love from Alvin and his chipmunk gang! Some younger music-lovers might not know this traditional song that us 40-somethings grew up with. This is a great way to introduce them to it!

Overall, this is SUCH a great CD - poignant offerings which will get you teary-eyed, traditional favorites made even better, Jaci's crooning voice on some of those Big Band numbers, Feliz Navidad, and the Chipmunk Song - what more could you ask!

This is a perfect early-Christmas gift for music-lovers of all ages!

By the way, Jaci has two Spanish albums out - they're incredible! If you know someone who speaks Spanish (or a teenager who is taking Spanish in high school), this would be the perfect gift!

Please check out my other reviews of Christian music!

Jaci Velasquez just recorded the album of her career. I'm a Velasquez fan, though I will admit to being slightly disappointed with her previous project, CRYSTAL CLEAR. So I picked up CHRISTMAS with slight trepidation, unsure of what to expect. What I found was a holiday masterpiece that is absolutely shimmering with traditional beauty, yet still Jaci.

CHRISTMAS pays homage to all of the great, traditional Christmas albums of the past (like the classic from The Carpenters), with it's fully orchestrated arrangements, tender vocals, and traditional song selections. This is an album that you can play in the background of any classic Christmas movie and it would feel like a natural fit. Some Christmas albums, reaching for originality, go too far in personalizing familiar carols. While I'm all for creativity, when it comes to Christmas songs there's just something about keeping it familiar. And CHRISTMAS does just that, in spades.

The haunting "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" opens the project appropriately. "The First Noel" and "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" probably best personify the album's nod to traditional beauty. "Let It Snow" features more of a big band sound. The weakest moment is really the original track, "Season Of Love," which is a duet with new artist Pete Orta. It's a nice song, but feels out of place in the midst of the grandeur that the rest of the album wallows in.

This is the perfect album to put on while you're trimming the Christmas tree, relaxing in front of the fire, or spending time with loved ones. There are a few slightly upbeat moments, but for the most part it's simply a delicious mix of Jaci singing the classics. And, in this case, it doesn't get much better than that. Fans of Velasquez will eat this up with a spoon, but even if you've never heard of her before you'll want to give this a try if traditional Christmas music is what you love. Every few years a truly great Christmas album is released. CHRISTMAS is one of those instant classics, and I look foreword to listening to it every winter for years to come. FIVE STARS.

Jaci's voice has a whispery quality about it that makes her an ideal singer of ballads and these dominate this warm, mellow Christmas album. The tempo pucks up occasionally, as on the classic Let it snow and Jose Feliciano's Feliz Navidad, but if you want a Christmas album with plenty of up-tempo songs on it, look elsewhere. Although this is a modern album, it harks back to an earlier age - the 1940's - in style.

On classics like O come O come Emmanuel, First Noel, White Christmas, I'll be home for Christmas. Have yourself a Merry little Christmas, The Christmas song and O little town of Bethlehem, Jaci is in her element.

There are three new songs, all excellent ballads, but my favorite is The angel song. The others are It wouldn't be Christmas and a duet with Pete Orta, Season of love.

The album is completed by a bonus track, The Chipmunk song, which is a duet with Alvin and the Chipmunks. Not everybody will regard this as a bonus but if you don't like it you can always stop the CD or tape after all the other songs have been played.

Jaci is a classy singer who knows what she does best as this wonderful album demonstrates.

I have this habit with Christmas music. I buy lots of CD's from artists I don't listen to all the time. Usually, my favorite artists put out my favorite CD's, but occasionally, I find a gem from other artists.

This CD is a case in point. Here, Jaci sings wonderful arrangements of Christmas songs that bring pictures of trees, presents, snow, friends, and warm fires year round. Stand outs include "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "The Christmas Song," and "Feliz Navidad."

So, why the four star rating? Because, much as I do enjoy it, it still has a couple minor flaws. Most notably, there is very little tempo change over the course of the album. The arrangements here are slow. While that's not a problem by itself, I find I enjoy albums with greater variety more. The tempo picks up for a few tracks in the second half, but it's not enough. Also, the three new songs just don't excite me.

In spite of these minor flaws, I know I'll enjoy this album for years to come. I recommend it to anyone looking for good, classic sounding Christmas music. You'll be lost in Christmas Past in no time.

If you want to give someone the perfect gift this year, choose Jaci Velasquez Christmas! Even though this came out a long time ago, I still listen to it all winter!

You'll love "O come, O come, Emmanuel". It sounds really cool. You'll also burst out laughing every time you listen to "The Chipmunk Song", where the chipmunks try to speak Spanish. You'll also enjoy "Season of Love", which is my second favourite song on the CD. But the best song on the entire CD has to be her version of "Felis Navidad". I highly recommend this CD to everyone!

This CD has the best version of White Christmas I have ever heard and I have ALL of them...yes Bing Crosby is probably a tie but hers is great as well! Also her song "Season of Love" is FANTASTIC. My favorite female singer. If she were on regular radio stations she would have them all beat--Whitney, Christina, and Mariah don't come close to Jaci's voice!!

What a fantastic cd of Christmas, some old, some new, a great combination. "o come, emmanuel" is just stunning will bring tears to your eyes. And the duet with the Chipmunks is just fantastic, adorable, and funny, had me laughing out loud. Though the only song I didn't like was, "feliz navidad", sorry I love the original, nobody can sing it like Jose but other than that, a great cd!

And thats saying alot because I have tons of them! Let me break the songs down:

1)O Come, O Come Emmanuel- Very beautiful, short song. Brings tears to my eyes.

2)The Angel Song-This is my favorite. I can picture myself skating to it-very pretty. She sings this very well. Some verses:
In the chill of the night/While the moon gently sleeps/I wander in silence on snow-laden streets/As I gaze into sunsets over silhouette mountains/I am amazed that the God who made all of this...Made me..

3)The First Noel-A classic, well done by Jaci.

4)White Christmas-Another classic.

5)It Wouldn't be Christmas-Orginal Jaci song about how it wouldn't be Christmas without you. Well written and sung.

6)Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas-Another great rendition of a classic.

7)Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow-This reminds of a the good old days of muscials-very "White Christmas" movie-ish.(Love it)

8)I'll be Home for Christmas-You've gotta hear Jaci sing this. Pure beauty.

9)Season of Love-A duet with Peter Orta-Very spiritial song that reminds you of the real reason for the season.

10)The Christmas Song (Chesnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)-Again, sung well.

11)O Little Town of Bethlehem-Another reminder of the season/Well sung and inspirational.

12)Feliz Navidad-Makes me want to get out and boogey!!!LOL! Fun, upbeat, awesome song.

13)Home track-I'll leave this as a suprise for you-:)

Not just a Christian Christmas CD-but a good all-around Christmas CD to treasure. I can't wait ot see her sing these on her Christmas concert tour!

This album is amazing!! Jaci has been one of my all-time faves and she definitely has done her job so well, so far, as a singing witness for Christ. Although there are a lot of traditional songs (that can be sung by ANYONE) on this CD, she still shows her love for Him and her music! She never messed them up. I love the way she wraps up the album with the adorable Christmas Chipmunk song, but starts with sort of an intro by "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"! Her duet with Pete Orta is astounding, and her remake of "Feliz Navidad" is not so bad at all! Keep it up, Jaci! Vaya con Dios!

I'd heard some of the songs on pandora so decided to purchase it. Overall good CD just be aware leans more towards the religious side.